St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-04-23

| dll may see now 1alr his love can be.
He turns to make some gay remark tt
MiHicent, still holding Madness hand
but a glance at Miss Grey's face checks
him. She has grown positively livid
She was full of laughter just a minute
ago, but now mirth has died from her and
| her lips are all set and stern her color
CHASTITY
Take her away-anywhere! Into the
next roOnl," she says in a tone of sup
pressed but passionate command to Du
ran. There is no need for him to ask ia
whom she alludes-her eyes are riyeted
upon Madness neck, where the sapphire
pendant is resting calmly. Duran, who
is Il man quick TO understand. scenting
danger in the air for her he loves draws
Nadine aside and presently takes her out
of the room. \ little TOO late. however
Mrs. Brand too had seen and recognized
the sapphires!
The guests have all arrived. the ball is
at it's height. Yet still the hero Of it is
absent. There is, however. "a midnight
train that will in all probability bring
him.
''It must, He has never failed me vet"
says Lady Valworth, with a rather wan
smile, who is feeling hurt and disap-
pointed.
Millicent, who has been going about with
a nervous distressed air all the night has
been regarded as a model fiancee bv all
her world. Plainly, she is fretting for
her recreant lover She has more feeling
than they had given her credit for. She
is not the hCartleSs, soulleSs creature they
had Imagined! Yet her thoughts have
never wandered to Grant: they have
been centered on the pretty, happy crea-
tuTe, who, with the stolen saDphires
lying on her bosom, has been bIissfully
unconscious of the gathering storm that
is so soon to break upon her
Duran had made it a first care TO learn
the cause OF Miss Grey's desire to get rid
Of Nadine as soon IS her glance fell upon
her in the ball room. What he had been
told since by AIillicent had led him at once
TO a knowledge of the truth. He was al
ready aware Of tho suspicion about the
cross worn by Nadine the night
before. 1t is now impossible tt1 him to
but that this lover of Nadine's
this Paul Annerley-hnd something to
DO with the robberies both of the dia-
mOndS from ValWorth, and the famous
sspphlres from Park lane. If this be
true! If this be proved, He is angry
with himself for the wild thrill of Joy
that rushes through every pulse, as this
thought suggests itself and takes root
within his breast II it prove true!
Why then Nadine will be free! This
man, Annerley, will be compelled to fly
from the face Of the law, and she will be
left behind for him-Duran-and for
love,
But then the shame to herr The
awakening to the sorrow of her lovers
Sooner or later it must be told
to her but should the task be left to rude
tongues who had no love for her? A
times no. Be the man falsely
or be he in reality the one
who has stolen the jewels, it is impossi
Die that Nafine should be left to learn of
he suspicion resting upon him from
strangers He-will tell her.
He has led her into a small conserva-
ory leading off the tea room, which,
being rather public, has been deserted
~ those desirous of uttering or hearing
ender passages. The upper end of it,
in daytime garden be-
,eath, is quite removed from the gaze of |
hose in the room outside, and Duran, as :
Nadine sinks upon low couch, seats |
himself beside her.
A dim lamp, shaded to a subdued pink,
heds a warm but indistinct light /
round The perfume of the dying roses
Ills the air. From far away the music
ONES to them-rising, falling, swelling,
ainting, until all the night seems full
{ it.
Nadine, stopping toward him, lays her
and on his.
''You are troubled?' she says, softly.
can see it in your eyes. Something is
laking you sorry"
Her eyes, deep and brilliant as stars,
re looking mournfully into his. He
os esses himself of the hand she has
eld out to him, believing him in trouble,
nd holds it fast.
''It is true. There is perplexity in my
cart, and q suspicion of coming sorrow,
ut it is for you" he answers, gently.
''For me!' A little startled look creeps
ITO her lovely face.
''Tell me-tell me exactly, says Duran,
aning forward SO that he can see her
ice more clearly; ''tell me, for your own
Ike, how you became the possessor of
lat sapphire heart that lies upon your
eek
" W naC strange question:, CRIES Sne,
aling. "It was given met was a pres
1t from Paul Annerley.
"And the diamond cross you wore last
ight-he gave you that alsos
eyes; he gave me both. She has grown
cry white, and her large eyes are filed
ith q painful uncertainty. "Why do
,u question me about them?" she says.
Is it strange that I should have such
.etty things? I did not want them-I
} not care for them. But why is it
ranger"
"The strangeness does not lie in your
aving them" returns Duran, still hold
g her hand fast, though she had tried
take it from him. "It lies in the fact
lat this Paul Annerley gave them to
,u."
"Where did he get thems''
"Ahl explain yourseHp' implores She